Walt Disney’s New CEO Spurs Changes as Analysts Stay Bullish

Walt Disney ( (DIS) ) has been popular among investors this week. Here is a recap of the key news on this stock.

Walt Disney’s new CEO, Josh D’Amaro, is moving quickly to reshape the company’s theme-park strategy while Wall Street maintains a bullish view on the stock. At the planned Villains Land, Disney is scrapping a darker Maleficent roller coaster in favor of a family-friendly indoor water ride and a coaster themed to The Emperor’s New Groove, a shift aimed at keeping younger visitors and parents comfortable without sacrificing appeal.

At the same time, Walt Disney is highlighting employee goodwill, with Walt Disney World and Disneyland surpassing three million “Cast Compliments,” a metric that can support morale and future wage talks. Beyond the parks, the company is leaning into brand-building with “Tiana’s Joyful Celebration” at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum, extending its Princess and the Frog IP and diversity messaging into a long-running, hands-on exhibit.

D’Amaro still faces serious content and technology challenges, from franchise fatigue in Marvel and Star Wars to the risks and rewards of artificial intelligence in production, which could cut costs but trigger consumer backlash. These pressures are fueling debate over whether any single leader can fully revive Disney’s creative engine and repair its relationship with fans after several underwhelming releases.

Despite those concerns, investors remain cautiously optimistic. Walt Disney shares have slipped roughly 5%–7% over the past year, yet analysts on TipRanks rate DIS a Strong Buy, with 17 Buys and only three Holds. The average price target of about $135–$135.41 implies upside of roughly 27%–28%, while Citi’s Jason Bazinet goes further with a $140 target, signaling confidence that D’Amaro’s early moves and the company’s vast IP library can still deliver meaningful shareholder gains.